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Post by Trumpy Dumpy's Salvation Army on Aug 14, 2008 11:10:35 GMT -5
I've been playing guitar for about 8 years now. I'm not great or anything, but I can strum my way through a few songs. I'm looking to broaden my horizons a bit not just with the guit-fiddle, but also with music itself. I'm a big fan of the banjo and am considering picking one up. Just a cheap starter kit- nothing fancy. But my thinking is that if I start to learn another stringed instrument, it may help me to understand the way that they work and actually improve my guitar playing. Anyone else play more than one instrument and found it to be helpful to your understanding of music? Also, if any one has advice they'd like to give on playing guitar (or any instrument really), please do so!
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Post by Captain Hygiene on Aug 14, 2008 11:21:32 GMT -5
I've played piano for ages, and I've been messing with guitars for a couple years now. Learning more than one type of instrument had both benefits and drawbacks for me. For helping me, learning a keyboard instrument helped me understand music and notation far better than I would have if I'd started with a stringed instrument. In that respect, it was incredibly helpful to play with more than one type of instrument.
On the other hand, though, the way keyboard-based playing works is so ingrained into me now that I haven't been able to conceptualize how multi-stringed instruments are set up. I'm capable at memorizing all the chords I need, and I can futz around with simple solos, but I have a difficult time understanding how the strings relate to each other. In other words, I know that each string is some notes higher or lower than the next, but if I'm randomly trying to pick out a tune on my own, it's still pretty much guesswork on how they relate.
I can't see how picking up other similar instruments would hurt, and it seems like it might provide motivation for better understanding. It might even lead to an "ah ha!" moment to increase your understanding, just coming at things from a slightly different perspective. Oddly enough, I may be picking up a banjo soon, too, just for fun, and I'm hoping it might lead to something like that.
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Post by Krista on Aug 14, 2008 11:46:04 GMT -5
I can play four instruments fluently. Though one is the guitar (also for 8 years! *high five*) the other three are not related-- tuba, trumpet, and French horn.
It definitely helped me with understanding how to read music and learn different scales and tunings as such even though they're not really related to the guitar. Banjo sounds like it could be helpful, but even if it's not at least it's something you wanted to do!
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Post by NardDog on Aug 14, 2008 12:21:02 GMT -5
I play guitar as well but I played piano and bass before that...the thing is although I can read music at a snail's pace I mostly play by ear.
when I picked up the mandolin a few years ago having played guitar for a long time helped me somewhat but each instrument is tuned differently so in some ways it hurt. I'm not sure if the banjo is tuned like a guitar or not but if we can find someone to play the jug, washboard, spoons and one string bass we can have our selves a ham-boning, knee-slapping time!
...kudos for picking up the banjo
EDIT: of course tab and chord diagrams don't really count I think most every one can figure those out pretty easily
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Post by TheFamousEccles on Aug 14, 2008 12:49:48 GMT -5
Well picking up another instrument won't really help you learn guitar at all, at least with my experience.
I would advise not getting a cheap banjo, it might really limit you. Get a good one to start with.
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Post by Trumpy Dumpy's Salvation Army on Aug 14, 2008 15:07:42 GMT -5
It might even lead to an "ah ha!" moment to increase your understanding, just coming at things from a slightly different perspective. That's what I'm thinking. Hopefully it'll open my mind to a few things. Guitar is more of a hobby than anything so I don't spend hours and hours a week on practice. I find that when I do, I just get burned out. I have to keep it fun. Though I'm still working on a way to keep it fun and learn some things. From what I understand, Castle, the banjo is tuned to an open G (for traditional Bluegrass). There are alternate tunings, of course. It's a five string instrument and I think the fifth (top) string is never fretted. I guess the only way to find out if my guitar playing will benefit from pickin' a banjo is to try it. Oh, and can't leave Krista hangin'...
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Post by silvermorgan on Aug 16, 2008 17:51:08 GMT -5
I played piano from ten years old until well into college. I never picked up another instrument (okay, so I played violin for a year when I was nine, but after the fifth broken string, my parents bought me a piano), but I did join choir in college, amongst many others that played multiple instruments. Most of them said piano formed a solid base that allowed them to understand and read music for other instruments.
My only advice, no matter what instrument you play, is not to let self-doubt consume you. Despite performing in various recitals and winning a state competition, I was riddled with self doubt, eventually concluding that there were so many others better than me, I should just quit while I was semi ahead.
Biggest. Regret. Ever.
My piano now sits in my basement and hasn't been touched for a good eight years. I'm working up the gumption to get back into it. Now I'm only afraid I'll convince myself I'll never become as good as I used to be, so why bother?
Silly, I know. I freely admit that my head's a mess. LOL
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Post by Mighty Jack on Aug 17, 2008 16:16:34 GMT -5
I've been playing guitar for well over 30 years and I'm still not as good as I wanna be. I picked up a bass a few months back for some home recordings.
I wanted to play the drums in the worst way but I really stink at it. I can play one thing and that's it. I just can't do all that stuff at once. Hit a cymbal at 16th notes or whatever ever while I'm hitting the snare at a different pace and the foot at another pace. I have much respect for those who can do that.
It's amazing I can chew gum and walk at the same time.
Tried Piano, it ruptured my mind.
Playing different things really only helps me from a songwritting perspective, which is why I wish I could play the keys. I've written songs using the drum machine or the bass and that gives me a new flavor and takes me away from falling back on my familair guitar tricks and patterns.
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Post by Trumpy Dumpy's Salvation Army on Aug 19, 2008 17:48:27 GMT -5
I actually started on the drums when I was 16. Haven't played in a few years, and am bound to be rusty, but it's kinda like riding a bike for me. I can sit down for a few hours of practice alone and be ready to jam.
I'm really having trouble wrapping my head around the guitar. I can play open and bar chords with relative ease. And I know a few simple scales and riffs. I'm looking to kind of "unlock" the guitar portion of my mind so that it will perhaps come more freely to me. Everybody tells me that repetition is the key, but I get bored very easily. That's why I'm thinking that if I pick up another stringed instrument I can go back and forth between them and still be learning a thing or two about how stringed instruments work (while having fun).
I've never played piano, and have only a very small desire to do so. But I have heard about it bringing a better knowledge of music, like y'all say.
I think being knowledgeable of music and knowing music is different things. I may not have the knowledge that a lot of people do, but I think I understand it. I really don't care to learn to read music. I just want to play.
And yeah, Silver, self doubt does like to rear its ugly head too often, doesn't it?
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Post by Mr. Atari on Aug 23, 2008 21:12:38 GMT -5
My life story as a musician (like anyone cares)...
I took piano lessons at a young age (from about age 4 to age 10). I learned basic music principles: how to read music, how to count measures, scales, key signatures, etc. It was immensely foundational for me. In high school, I also took a bunch of composition classes to learn the "rules" of music, counterpoint, arranging, chord progressions, etc. This helped my musical instincts and changed the way I think about and "see" music as I'm playing. I still play piano, but almost entirely by ear (by chords, really).
I started playing drums in 3rd grade (age 9). All the way through college, I played in the school bands (symphonic, jazz band, orchestra, marching band, et al). In symphonic band I always got the parts for tonal percussion (xylophone, tympani, vibraphone, etc.) because I could read music. I was also the drumline captain. Note: I wasn't a band geek because I was a drummer, and drummers are cool. Right? *crickets chirp*
At the same time, I was in a bunch of basement & garage bands. Around junior high, I played drums in a punk band (we played a lot of Minor Threat and DRI covers). Our bass player quit and we found another drummer. So I picked up bass and started singing in the band. The best way to learn how to play bass? Join a punk band.
In college, I finally decided to start messing around on the guitar. It took me a while to build up the dexterity, but the music part was never a problem. I just applied what I knew about rhythm, chords, and the building blocks to a new instrument. I also listened to a lot of blues, and tried to play along to Zeppelin and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
I wouldn't call myself a piano player, a drummer, a bassist, or a guitarist. I think I'm pretty accomplished in all four, though, because I approach each of them with a musician's mind. I've played harmonica, mandolin, and banjo on projects. I made some money playing at a piano bar in Chicago one summer, I busked in Europe, I slummed in some coffeeshops, and I was employed for 5 years as the music director at a church. I worked in Nashville as a studio musician, and I've toured with a couple different bands as a touring drummer. I've recorded 2 solo albums where I play everything, and I'm working on a 3rd right now.
But enough with the "look-at-me" resumé. I guess my point is that if you can think musically, it's not difficult to transfer that to a variety of instruments. The instrument is just a delivery device. The more you learn about the language of music, the easier it gets to switch.
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Post by NardDog on Aug 23, 2008 23:56:14 GMT -5
Damn Mr. Atari sounds like you're a stylin rock star
I made some money too in a singer/songwriter folky capacity but not enough to fully support myself so I basically just fart around with home recordings...basically I just have fun with music now...I wouldn't call myself a virtuoso by any means but I'm fairly competent on the guitar and bass...like you I took piano lessons from about age 5-7 and learned a rudimentary knowledge of music...everything else is/was flying by the seat of my pants...got in a metal band in high school as a bassist where and when I idolized Cliff Burton, Steve Harris and Geddy Lee and truth be told that's probably the instrument I'm the most skilled in but up until my mid 20s most of the gigs I did were as a singer/acoustic/rhythm guitar player and quite a few solo...anyway I still mess around playing music but as a hobby now
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Post by Bix Dugan on Aug 29, 2008 14:33:21 GMT -5
I have the Flying Vee...
...for Guitar Hero.
Even that's a lie. I did fake my way though a year of trombone in the 6th grade! I'd watch the guy next to me and try to match his slide positions. I could play Taps, sort of.
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Post by Trumpy Dumpy's Salvation Army on Aug 30, 2008 10:35:00 GMT -5
I did fake my way though a year of trombone in the 6th grade! I'd watch the guy next to me and try to match his slide positions. LOL! I did that too. I should have played drums. If I had played drums, I probably would have stuck with band. Then I would have gotten to go to Disney World as a high school trip!
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Post by Blackmarket Jazz on Oct 2, 2008 20:31:36 GMT -5
28 years ago I started playing drums, after about 3 years I thought, there's got to be something more. I started the guitar and have been playing for 25 years now. I still try to get at least 30 min a day in on the axe. The drums helped me be a much more natural rhythm player. For me, inspiration comes from listening to incredible players. If I start to become a bit disinterested in my instrument, I just listen to some high caliber axemen and I feel all better again. ;D
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Post by inlovewithcrow on Apr 2, 2009 13:46:45 GMT -5
Bumping/responding, cuz of this new guitar I have and thoughts about learning it.
I played oboe through grade/high school. I taught myself piano when quite young. My elder sisters got lessons and hated them, so I was refused lessons despite begging for them. I'm eternally stuck at "early advanced" stage because of the self-taught habits/errors, but that's cool. Don't have one now. I don't remember a time when I couldn't read music, just as I don't remember a time when I couldn't read text.
When I picked up a violin once a decade ago, I took right to it and loved it. However, I never felt I could spend that kind of money on a second instrument. So right around this last solstice, a fellow RVer walked up to me and gave me a free second-hand, originally $30 guitar (with surprisingly good tone for that price) and I've been playing it two hours a day or more since. I have 60 songs memorized, prefer fingerpicking to strumming, but have a dozen strumming rhythms down. I do scales and sight-reading every day, too. Some days I can hit the barre chords, and other times I can't.
Also, I had over a year of theory/comp in college. I composed a lot of etudes and minuets and two-part inventions and so on. That, probably more than the other instruments, is what made learning guitar easier for me than for some I've seen try it.
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